OK folks, I need a hand. I picked up a "project" gun, a little Astra 1916. Actually, I don't know if Astra actually made this gun, or it was a licensed copy. In any case, the slide says.

6.35 1916 MODEL AUTOMATIC PISTOL
ASTRA PATENT

It also has a Spain stamp, no surprise there. Now, for the problem.

Although the exterior was in pretty good shape, probably 90-95%, the gun has not been cared for in a long time. I detail stripped it and cleaned all the surface rust off the pieces, and got it looking pretty good inside. I've just about finished assembly, when a problem surfaces. The hammer/sear spring is a leaf spring that has more strength than I have! It has to be compressed to slide under the sear and engage the hammer. I have not yet figured a way to do that! Any ideas?

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